Textron Rheinmetall and Kongsberg announce $100 million contract on Canadian TAPV program 3101133

Posted On
Thursday, 31 January 2013 08:14

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Defence Industry News - Textron Defense

Thursday, January
31, 2013, 02:09 PM

Textron,
Rheinmetall and Kongsberg announce $100 million contract on Canadian TAPV
program.

Textron
Systems Canada Inc., Rheinmetall Canada Inc., and Kongsberg Protech Systems
(KPS) Canada today announced a $100 million CAD contract for work to be
performed by KPS Canada on the Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol
Vehicle (TAPV) project. This is a sub-contract within the $205 million
CAD contract between Textron Systems and Rheinmetall that was announced
in October 2012.

TAPV Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle for Canadian army

This
contract will help to sustain 16 jobs and create approximately 16 more
jobs – doubling the workforce at KPS Canada’s London, Ontario
production facility, which opened just over a year ago in November 2011.
The contract also fulfills a portion of Textron Systems’ participation
in Canada’s Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy arising
from the government’s purchase of 500 Textron TAPVs.

This contract extends KPS Canada’s work with the Government of Canada
and strengthens the company’s position as the world market leader
for remotely controlled weapon stations. Since 2005, the company has been
supplying the PROTECTOR M151 Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) to the Canadian
Forces. On the TAPV project, KPS Canada will deliver a new technological
innovation with the Dual Remote Weapon Station (DRWS). This remote weapon
station features two mounted weapons that can be operated by both the
vehicle commander and gunner. These capabilities provide additional safety
and protection for soldiers in the field by allowing them to operate the
DRWS from within the vehicle reducing their exposure to enemy fire.

M151 PROTECTOR remote weapon station is designed for small and medium
caliber weapons, and can be installed on any type of platform.

“Participation
in the TAPV project is of strategic importance to Kongsberg Protech Systems,”
said KPS Canada’s President Jørn Buø. “Kongsberg
Protech Systems production and participation in the TAPV program will
strengthen London, Ontario as a Canadian contributor to the ground based
defense industry. KPS Canada and Kongsberg are already a large and reliable
supplier in the region, the province and in Canada. This contract has
created a unique opportunity for further growth locally.”

“We are extremely pleased to be working with Textron Systems and
Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada,” said Rheinmetall Canada’s
President and CEO, Dr. Andreas Knackstedt. “Together we will deliver
state of the art equipment to the Army, and provide value for taxpayers’
money, while creating highly skilled jobs in Canada.”

In June 2012, the Textron TAPV Team, led by Textron Systems, was selected
to manufacture 500 Canadian Forces Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicle (TAPV)
with options for up to 100 more. The TAPV contract has a value of $603.4
million CAD, with an additional five-year in-service support contract
of $105.4 million CAD.

Ottawa-based Textron Systems Canada, as prime contractor, will provide
overall TAPV program and configuration management, act as design authority
for change management, coordinate vehicle integration activities by Canadian
subcontractors, and manage the In-Service Support contract. Textron Systems
Canada will also be implementing a Canadian Industrial and Regional Benefits
program designed to bring employment to Canadians and new expertise and
opportunities to Canadian companies.

“Kongsberg Protech Systems Canada’s DRWS is a key element
in our TAPV. As a teammate in implementing the delivery of the TAPV to
the Canadian Army, they will help bring economic benefits to Canada,”
said Neil Rutter, general manager of Textron Systems Canada. “In
the coming months, we will continue to sign agreements with other best-in-class
Canadian suppliers who will help us deliver a fleet of Textron TAPVs that
provide Canadian soldiers with unmatched performance and protection for
decades.”